Description on Asanas (32)

GS states that there are 84 Lakhs asanas, as described by Shiva, equal to the number of species found in this universe. Out of 84 lakhs, 84 are the best asanas. GS has further identified 32 asanas as useful for mankind:

YouTube Playlist on Chapter 2 of Gheranda Samhita:

Siddhasana (Posture of the Perfected one)- Place one heel at the anal aperture, keep the other heel on the root of the generative organ; afterwards he should affix his chin upon the chest, and being quiet and straight, gaze at the spot between the two eye-brows.

1. • It helps in Ultimate freedom.
2. Padmasana (Lotus Posture) – Place the right foot on the left thigh and similarly, the left one on the right thigh, also cross the hands behind the back and firmly catch hold of the great toes of feet so crossed. Place the chin on the chest and fix the gaze on the tip of the nose.
   • This posture destroys all diseases.
3. Bhadrasana (Prosperous Posture)- Place the heels crosswise under the testes attentively; cross the hands behind the back and take hold of the toes of the feet. Fix the gaze on the tip of the nose, alongwith Jalandhar Bandha.
   • This posture destroys all sorts of diseases.
4. Muktasana (Posture of the emancipated)- Place the left heel at the root of the organ of generation and the right heel above that, keep the head and the neck straight with the body.
   • It gives Siddhi (perfection).
5. Vajrasana (Thunderbold Posture) – Make the thighs tight like adamant and place the legs by the two sides of the anus.
   • It gives psychic powers to the Yogi.
6. Swastikasana (Auspicious Posture) – Drawing the legs and thighs together and placing the feet underneath them, keeping the body in its easy condition and sitting straight.
7. Simhasana (Lion Posture) – The two heels to be placed under the scrotum contrariwise (i.e., left heel on the right side and the right heel on the left side of ‘it) and turned upwards, the knees to be placed on the ground, (and the hands placed on the knees), mouth to be kept open; practising the Jalandhara mudra one should fix his gaze on the tip of the nose.
   • This destroys all diseases.
8. Gomukhasana (Gou – Cow, Mukh – Face – Cow-face Posture) – The two feet to be placed on the ground, and the heels to be placed contrariwise under the buttocks; the body to be kept steady and and the mouth raised, and sitting equably, resembling the mouth of cow.
9. Virasana  (Heroic Posture) – One leg (the right foot) to be placed on the other (left) thigh, and the other foot to be turned backwards.
10. Dhanurasana (Bow Posture) – Spreading the legs on the ground, straight like a stick, and catching hold of (the toes of) the feet with the hands, and making the body bent like a bow.
11. Mritasana (Shavasana/ Corpse Posture) – Lying lat on the ground like a corpse is called Mritasana the Corpse-posture.
    • This posture destroys fatigue, and quiets the agitation of the mind.
12. Guptasana (Hidden Posture)- Hide the two feet under the two knees, and place the anus on the feet.
13. Matasayasana (Fish Posture) – Make the Padrnasana-posture without the crossing of the arms ; lie on the back, holding the head by the two elbows.
14. Matsendrasana (Lord of Fish Posture) – Keeping the abdominal region at ease like the back, bending the left leg, place it on the right thigh; then place on this the elbow of the right hand, and place the face on the palm of the right hand, and fix the gaze between the eye-brows.
15. Gorakshasana (Posture of Goraksha) – Between the knees and the thighs, the two feet turned upward and placed in a hidden way, the heels being carefully covered by the two bands outstretched; the throat being contracted, let one fix the gaze on the tip of the nose.
16. Paschimotanasana (Back to Front Posture) – Spread the two legs on the ground, stiff like a stick (the heels not touching), and place the forehead on the two knees, and catch with the hands the toes.
17. Utkatasana (Raised Posture) – Let the toes touch the ground, and the heels be ‘raised in the air; place the anus on the heels.
18. Sankatasana (Contracted Posture) – Placing the left foot and the leg on the ground, surround the left foot by the right leg; and place the two hands on the two knees.
19. Mayurasana (Peackock Posture)- Place the palms of the two hands on the ground, place the umbilical region on the two elbows, stand upon the hands, the legs being raised in the air, and crossed like Padmasana.
    • The Peacock-posture destroys the effects of unwholesome food; it produces heat in the stomach; it destroys the effects of deadly poisons; it easily cures diseases, like Gulma and fever; such is this useful posture.
20. Kukutasana (Cock Posture) – Sitting on the ground, cross the legs in the Padmasana posture, thrust down the hands between the thighs and the knees, stand on the hands, supporting the body on the elbows.
21. Kurmasana (Tortoise Posture) – Place the heels contrariwise under the scrotum, stiffen (or keep at ease) the Head, neck and body.
22. Mandukasana (Frog Posture) – Carry the feet towards the back, the toes touching each other, and place the knees forwards. This is called the Frog-posture.
23. Uttana Kurmasana (Extended Tortoise Posture) – Assume the kukutasana-posture, catch hold of the neck with the hands, and stand stretched like a tortoise.
24. Vrikshasana (Tree Posture) – Stand straight on one leg (the left), bending the right leg, and placing the right foot on the root of the left thigh; standing thus like a tree on the ground, is called the Tree-posture.
25. Uttana Mandukasana (Extended Frog Posture) – Assume the Frog-posture, hold the head by the elbows, and stand up like a frog.
26. Garudasana (Eagle Posture) – Place the legs and the thighs on the ground pressing it, steady the body with the two knees, place the two hands on the knees.
27. Vrishaasana (Bull Posture) – Place the anus on the right heel, on the left of it place the left leg crossing it opposite way, and touch the ground. This is called the Bull-posture.
28. Shalabhasana (Locust Posture) – Lie on the ground face downwards, the two hands being placed on the chest, touching the ground with the palms, raise the legs in the air one cubit high. This is called the Locust-posture.
29. Makarasana (Crocodile Posture) – Lie on the ground face downwards, the chest touching the earth, the two legs being stretched: catch the head with the two arms. This is Makarasana, the increaser of the bodily heat.
30. Ushtrasana (Camel Posture) – Lie on the ground face downwards, turn up the legs and place them,towards the back, catch the legs with the hands, contract forcibly the mouth and the abdomen. This is called the Camel-posture
31. Bhujangasana (Serpent Posture) – Let the body, from the navel downwards to the toes, touch the ground, place the palms on the ground, raise the head (the upper portion of the body) like a serpent. This is called the Serpent-posture.
    • This always increases the bodily heat, destroys all diseases, and by the practice of this posture the serpent-Goddess (the kundalini force) awakes.
32. Yogasana (Posture of Yoga)- Turn the feet upwards, place them on the knees; then place the hands on the ground with the palms turned upwards ; inspire, and fix the gaze on the tip of the nose. This is called the Yoga-posture.

Practice Tests

1. Practice Test No.1